Deputies seek help to solve two dozen vehicle burglaries in Golden Gate Estates

Car burglars have broken into more than two dozen vehicles over the past two weeks in Golden Gate Estates, and authorities are asking people for information that could help their investigation.

Burglars mostly targeted the Orange Tree community and residential areas along Everglades Boulevard from Oil Well Road to Immokalee Road, according to a Collier County Sheriff's Office social media post.

Most of the vehicles were unlocked and the stolen items had been left in plain view, detectives said. Purses, laptop computers and GPS systems were stolen.

The burglaries might be connected, according to the Sheriff's Office, and detectives released surveillance video from one of the break-ins in hopes that someone can identify the suspect or suspects. 

Anyone with information is asked to call the Collier County Sheriff’s Office at 239-793-9300, or Crime Stoppers at 800-780-TIPS (8477) to remain anonymous.

TheSheriff’s Office urges residents and visitors to lock their car doors to prevent burglaries.

Vehicle burglaries are crimes of opportunity, according to the Sheriff's Office. Many thieves pull on door handles until they find an unlocked vehicle. They also tend to look through vehicle windows to see whether there are any valuables inside.

The Sheriff's Office has joined other law enforcement agencies across the country to promote the “9 p.m. Routine,” a social media awareness campaign that encourages residents to set an alarm on their smartphones, watches or other devices to remind them to:

• Remove their valuables from their vehicles or stow them out of view. This is particularly important with GPS systems, laptops, smartphones, tablets and all base mounts, cords and chargers. 
• Lock the doors of their vehicles even when they are parked at home. Most burglaries of unlocked vehicles happen at homes.
• Ensure that vehicle doors and trunks are locked.
• Set vehicle alarms.
• Lock the doors and gates to homes. 
• Turn on exterior lights.

The Sheriff's Office encourages people to report vehicle burglaries to law enforcement even if nothing significant was taken. The more information investigators have about these crimes, the more likely it is that they will be able to identify and stop the people committing them, according to the Sheriff's Office.